She’s also a wife, a mother of five and an author. Wouldn’t it be interesting to hear how she juggles all these important jobs?Welcome Jacki kruzie and thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to enlighten us.

*Our annual conference was spectacular and we all know it didn’t just happen. Does it begin with the theme? How do you decide which one to choose?

At the beginning of each year our chapter’s leadership team meets and discusses a theme for the year. The leadership team currently consists of seven members. We choose a theme and plan events for the year that follow the theme.As for the conference, me and the Assistant Regional Advisor, Beth Mills, have already begun planning the 2019 fall conference. In a few weeks I will send invitations to potential faculty members and start the process of pricing out venues. Most venues book several months in advance and many agents and editors plan their travel schedule at the beginning of the year. In order to nail down a specific faculty member I have to send invitations early. I also have to anticipate that not everyone will accept the invitation. When this happens I must start the process all over again. Giving myself enough time to find faculty members is an essential part of the planning process, the details of the conference come together later.

I wish I had a secret! In addition to SCBWI I am also a library director and currently working towards my Master of Library Science degree. Oh yeah and I’m a wife and mother…Truth is I sometimes miss a deadline, neglect an email, skip a soccer game, make mac & cheese for dinner, or stay up all night to get work done while the house is quiet. I put forth my best effort, rely on my helpful husband, and don’t sweat the small stuff.

*You also are a writer at heart and are represented by Marisa Corvisiero. What is your latest story?

I was represented by Marisa Corvisiero with Corvisiero Literary Agency, however we recently parted ways. It is always difficult to end a partnership, especially one you had high hopes for, but the story she had out on submission wasn’t gaining the momentum either of us hoped. We parted amicably and now I am once again on the search for representation. I learned a few valuable lessons through this experience. First, don’t assume that because you have an agent your work is done. Second, don’t be afraid to terminate a contract if the partnership is not in your best interest.As for writing, I have been focusing on nonfiction picture books, which I love, but my newest work in progress is outside of my comfort zone; a chapter book! One of my critique partners has been encouraging me for quite some time to attempt writing a longer piece and I finally accepted the challenge. It is so much fun. I don’t know why it took me so long to get on board!

*Was your heart always into writing?

Yes! I have loved writing since I was in elementary school. My school hosted a yearly Young Authors Conference on the last day of school each year. For weeks leading up to the day students would write, draw, and assemble their books. On the day of the conference, students would share their stories, attend music and theatrical performances, and have a picnic lunch. It was my favorite day of the year! I decided then and there I wanted to be an author.

* Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

There is no shortcut to accomplishing a goal. Don’t cut corners; take the class, view the webinar, go to the conference, join the critique group, do the work. Not only will your ability and confidence soar, but others will recognize your efforts and respect you for it.

How exciting for you, Jackie, to begin something totally new---a chapter book!​I wish you the best and look forward to seeing it published!Thank you Jackie!Find more about Jackie at: www.jaclynkruzie.comTwitter: @JaclynKruzieFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaclynkruzie/Instagram: jaclyn_kruzie

A Warm Welcome for Susanna Hill, who’s a longtime favorite writer for children!

My first experience with Susanna was taking her class, Making Picture Book Magic, 2014. It wasn’t until 2017, that we actually met at the North Texas SCBWI Conference in Dallas, Texas.I loved meeting her from the very beginning and you will too.

Give her a clap-clapping hello!

Thank you, Patricia, for having me :>)

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in NYC, which was very fabulous except that it turned out to be impractical to have a horse in an apartment… maybe the reason one of my favorite books growing up was The Horse On The Roof? J But there is nothing like NYC as a back yard. The Met, the Museum of Natural History, Broadway, Central Park, giant hot pretzels at little corner stands on cold autumn days, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, etc etc – amazing!I had 2 parents, 3 siblings, and 4 cats. (Nowadays I have 2 parents, 3 siblings, and 2 dogs J )I started writing when I was 4 and haven’t stopped since.I love horses, dogs, books, chocolate, living in the country, playing the piano, writing, blogging, teaching and, above all, my family.

Which of your books do you cherish the most and how did you come about writing it?

That is a hard question, akin, as people always say, to choosing your favorite child J But I think I can narrow it down to 3…ish J I love PUNXSUTAWNEY PHYLLIS because it’s such a fun book and was really my first picture book. I love NOT YET, ROSE because it’s about my daughter waiting for my son. And I love CAN’T SLEEP WITHOUT SHEEP because it’s my most favorite to share on school and library visits with kids. Oh, and I love all the WHEN YOUR… books because of the humor J

I have several of Susanna’s precious board books, which I love. I’ve always thought they were written in-house or as a younger book for an already published book. How did you get yours published?

The WHEN YOUR… board books were originally written and submitted as picture books. The editor who acquired them, Hannah Lambert at Little Simon, felt they would make terrific board books, so it was her decision. I think they came out beautifully! I love the art, and the size and feel of the books is very pleasing, and they make such a nice little set.

Want to share other books you’re working on for future publication?

I wish I was writing more than I am these days. Sometimes life… you know how that is! But I’ve got several ideas I’m enthusiastic about and have scribbled notes for, if I can get some time and mental energy to bring them to life!

I feel very lucky to get to do what I do. I love to write. I love working with other writers. I love the whole process of creating books for young readers. It is hard work and, as any of you who are writers know, it can be discouraging. But the highs are well worth the lows, and I can’t imagine a better way to spend my time.

Do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

I will be at the Warwick Children's Book Festival Oct. 6th in Warwick, NY. And then the New York State Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck on October 20-21! Both are fantastic events, and I hope you’ll all come! Of course, it’s rather a hike from Texas, but New York and New England are beautiful in October, so maybe a great time for a field trip!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.Hello Patricia, thank you for having me here today. I am new to illustrating children’s books, and it has been quite an exciting ride. Besides illustrating, I enjoy traveling, drinking coffees, and nature. Food is my best friend–except mushrooms and seafood!

You’re new to the illustration community. How did you get your start?

I have always enjoyed drawing, but am new to the children community. I was first influenced by my siblings’ drawings and the Saturday Morning show. I remember (and still am) looking at drawings that were done by children and even those who claimed to cannot draw, and thought that they were beautiful. In college, I major in Visual Development, but later found an interest in children’s books. I wanted to give it a try and to also do something new. It is a blessing to have illustrated two­–going on three books under my wings!

Your first book written by Raven Howell will be out this September. How did you get together? Do you live close to one another? Did you communicate about it all? Tell us how it progressed into the book it became.

My Community was actually the second illustrated book that I have worked on. The first book that I had illustrated was A New Book for Jack by Lois Lunsford. Most of the book communications was done through the Art Director. Messages and ideas, etc. are sent back and forth between us three. However, personal communications between Raven and I are done via Facebook Messenger ­– which was awesome because we both had the opportunity to learn about each other. Raven and I have never met in person, but we both live on the same coast!

What other books are you working on for future publication?

Currently, I am illustrating for Outside the Box by Anita Cruz. As for other future publications, I am also working on two personal projects. When finish, I plan to publish them electronically. Titles are not yet confirmed.Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

You are awesome! Awe shucks, thanks :>)

Do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

I have never done a signing event before and am currently looking into it. Wish me luck!

When I asked Alayne for an interview, I wasn't expecting her to offer you, the reader, an opportunity to submit directly to her. So, here's a great big THANK YOU in advance from all of us.Yahoo :>)

THE DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 3rd

Read on as she shares about her life as writer and business entrepreneur.

* Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you live? What are some things that most people don’t know about you?

I was raised in Chicago, and I now call Texas home.

My husband and I once lived on our sailboat for three months and then followed that adventure by traveling the United States in a motor home for over two years. We’ve set wheels, or feet, on nearly every contiguous state in the country.

I have a background in quality control and manufacturing engineering. One of the most unusual and interesting jobs was inspecting railroad cars. I won’t go into a lot of detail about the work I did. Instead, I’ll share that quality and manufacturing engineering are both transferable skills for publishing. Since our goal is to provide quality books, my eye for detail is an asset. My knowledge of production efficiency and processes helps in the area of scheduling and development.

* Tell us about your newly released chapter book.

I am excited that Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy has a new home with Blue Whale Press. The second edition of the first book Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Trying to Make it Rain was just released. The second book Cowboy Trouble will be released late in 2019. Trying to Make it Rain recently won the Readers View Reviewers Choice Award. I’ll share a description of the book for those who aren’t familiar with it.Sienna is not your normal cowgirl. She’s half human and half fairy! But Sienna wants nothing to do with fairies. When her ma sends her to fairy camp instead of cowgirl camp, she ain’t none too happy. Not only must she deal with cliquish fairies who reject her spunky spirit and outspoken ways, she must also noodle out how to help Mother Nature end the Texas drought. Can Sienna balance cowgirling with some tried ’n’ true fairy skills to both fit in and make it rain?In addition to being delightfully entertaining, this book may help children learn tolerance with the message that people who appear to be different from you can be very much like you. It may also help children who are struggling with identity.* Earlier this year, you became an editor at Blue Whale Press. Tell us about your new adventure in publishing.Early in my writing career, I had written a picture book titled Butterfly Kisses for Grandma and Grandpa and my husband, who is experienced in starting businesses and operating them, decided that he would start a publishing company and publish it himself. After finding an illustrator, he contracted a designer, multiple editors and an intellectual property rights lawyer, and Blue Whale Press was born. Unfortunately or fortunately, his career took a sudden upturn combined with a corporate relocation, and he decided to put Blue Whale Press on hold for a while. My decision to find a new home for Sienna just happened to coincide with his retirement from the corporate world, and he invited her to Blue Whale Press. That’s when his old passion and dream reignited. He suggested that we would make a fantastic team in restarting Blue Whale Press. I thought about it, and he was right. Everything that my career path has resulted in has led me straight to Blue Whale Press as content and developmental editor. Our family enterprise combines Steve’s business savvy with my knowledge of children’s book writing, critiquing, and editing—and my desire to help aspiring writers and illustrators. We opened our doors to submissions and discovered some spectacular stories and talent. Our catalog is growing, and Sienna will have lots of good company in the near future.* What other books are you working on for future publication?

Blue Whale Press has several books in development.Porcupette and Moppet is a picture book by Nadine Poper. In this comical story about a bumbling predator and his bibliophile-prey, disaster is averted not by running and hiding, but by simply reading a book – a very important book. Alicia Young’s art brings even more life and humor to Nadine’s great story.Randall and Randall is another picture book by Nadine Poper. In a very odd-couple relationship, this comical story is about a symbiotic relationship between two species that grows into an endearing friendship. This children's book entertains and educates young readers about ocean species. Polina Gortman will be working her magic as illustrator.Another picture book, No Bears Allowed, by Lydia Lukidis is a sweet and funny story about a rabbit who is afraid of almost anything, but most of all, he is terrified of bears—gigantic, monstery BEARS! Tara Hannon’s illustrations are going to be fantastic.Little Lost Pup (working title) is a picture book by Sarah Hoppe. This is not your ordinary pup story. It is a sweet and educational story about a little girl who finds a little lost pup on the beach. She spends her day wondering, Who will care for this little lost pup? And asking, “Will you care for this little lost pup?” But she finds that it will take a very special person to care for this very special pup. Milanka Reardon’s art will help tell this sweet story and make the surprise twist even more exciting.Laurie Smollett Kutscera will illustrate her own middle grade book The Misadventures of a Magician’s Son. This wonderful story is about twelve-year-old Alexander Finn’s personal journey dealing with the death of his father and the extraordinary gift he left behind. Besides heart, it is full of adventure, magic, and fantasy.Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Cowboy Trouble—the next chapter book in the Sienna series—is on its way. This one is about Sienna’s struggle with learning proper ways so she can be her Aunt Rose’s flower girl. But that’s not her biggest struggle. Unless they want to do Billy Bob’s and his band of bullies chores for a week, Sienna and her friends must prove that cowgirls can do anything cowboys can do—and then some. All these books are scheduled for 2019 release. Follow Blue Whale Press on Facebook and Twitter, as we will be revealing more details about them.* Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

​GET READY. . . GET READY. . . GET READY :>)I’d like to offer a choice of two prizes. Anyone who comments on the Blue Whale Press Facebook page with a follow will be included in the drawing. The winner’s choice will be a signed copy of Sienna, the Cowgirl Fairy: Trying to Make it Rain OR a golden ticket to submit to Blue Whale Press and go right to the top of the slush pile. This means, even though we are currently closed to picture books and chapter books, you may still submit. It also means that your manuscript will be read before any other manuscripts waiting to be considered.Make sure your Facebook comment is posted BY SEPTEMBER 3rd.As mentioned, Blue Whale Press is currently closed to picture book and chapter book submissions. We remain open to middle grade and illustrator submissions. We expect to reopen to picture books and chapter books in November. We are not interested in young adult submissions at this time.* Do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

I don’t have any book signings coming up right now, but I will be doing a breakout session at the North Texas SCBWI conference in September. The description of the presentation follows.

Top Ten Reasons for Rejection (and what you can do about it!)

You’ve probably received them all: helpful and informative responses, critical responses, form letters, and the worst—crickets. Whether you are new to submitting or have been at it for a long time, rejections can leave you feeling perplexed, frustrated, and unsure of what corrective action you should take. This breakout session will walk you through the various reasons behind rejections from an editor’s perspective and give you some tips on how you can improve your chances of success.

Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children’s book author. She is the creator and instructor of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She has been a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer for five years. She has been a critique ninja for Julie Hedlund’s 12 x 12 picture book forum for three years. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children’s Literature and she has spent the last ten years studying under some of the top names in children’s literature.

Johnny is known for his poetry, children’s books, and his greeting cards. He doesn’t stop there. He’s also known for his music as a songwriter.

Here are a few of his children’s books.

*HOWIE HAS A STOMACHACHE *A LEAF*THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., which is a bestselling, board book biography, with well over 100,000 copies sold,*MEET MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., a picture book*SILENCE, PLEASE: A Collection of Children’s Poems.*PEACE, GOODWILL TO ALL (Christmas Haikus), 2018.

Johnny writes from his various experiences that he had while working on his uncle’s farm and other farms. He also writes from many experiences he had while serving in the Army.

Your life sounds so interesting. Tell us a little more about yourself.

I live in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have no special place to write. I carry pen and paper and a digital recorder with me, at all times. Because, I am FLOODED with ideas, constantly! I was born near Little Washington, North Carolina, down by the Pamlico Sound. As a child, I had the most fun with our family’s goat, Billy; some chickens; 3 ducks; 6 hogs; a Shetland pony named Betsy; a cow; and a calf. Also, I learned to appreciate nature, because I worked on my uncle’s farm and other farms, located outside Raleigh, North Carolina. On some of the farms where I worked, I helped harvest tobacco; gather an array of produce from various gardens; bale hay; and, gather firewood for the Winter, just to name a short list of things I did.

Also, I was in the Army for 6 years. I jungle-trained in Panama. I spent 27 months in West Germany. While in Europe, I traveled to East Berlin; Amsterdam, Holland; and, Paris, France. I even went to the very top of The Eiffel Tower, while in Paris!

Which of your books do you cherish the most and how did you come about writing it?

I cherish ALL of my books. I love my board book, THE STORY OF MLK, JR., because my passion is writing for VERY YOUNG children. My agent, at the time, had informed me that Ideals Publication wanted me to write a King board book, in about 200 words.

Writing is hard for me, period. Furthermore, it took me 39 years to find a publisher for my latest book, SILENCE, PLEASE: A Collection of Children’s Poems!

Johnny and I are colleagues with Clear Fork Publishing/Spork. What are some tips you could give for submitting a manuscript?

Be PATIENT and have FAITH.

RESEARCH the publisher you are submitting your work to. Does that publisher solicit the kind of manuscript that you have written?

Make sure you have spent a lot time POLISHING and PERFECTING what you are about to submit.

Once you have submitted your manuscript to a particular publisher, GET ON WITH ANOTHER PIECE OF WRITING! Do not put all of your hopes in just ONE manuscript. YOU MUST KEEP WRITING!!!

Want to share other books you’re working on for future publication?

About 3 weeks ago, I signed a book contract with Big Belly Book Company. This fine publisher will be releasing my latest picture book, ANTHILL FOR SALE! This rhyming picture book is about an ant couple who is hoping to sell their anthill.

I am writing a novel in verse entitled I AM BLACK HISTORY, 24/7.

I am writing a novella about some of my military adventures. I was in the Army, back in the day.

I have a few board book manuscripts that may be released in 2019.

And, I will be releasing more greeting cards and inspirational poems, printed in POSTER form, just right for framing.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

Yes. I WAS BORN TO WRITE and WRITE and WRITE!!!

Do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

I will be a small part of a HUGE African-American Book Festival that will be held on Saturday, 27 October 2018, in Durham, North Carolina. I will be posting more details of this event on FB, very soon. So, stay tuned.

Hi everybody.You are going to absolutely love what Carina shares with us. Thanks so much, Carina, for joining in. i do you come to the United States of America sometime in the very near future.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Argentina. I graduated first from a master degree in computers. And I’ve been teaching computer related stuff since then. I love happy. I live in San Rafael, a small gorgeous town.I love creating, fantasy, good humor and chocolate of course. I’ve been always a creative person, but for some crazy reason I entered to a science related career hahaha, I do love computers though. And in fact, what I love about computers is creating programs, so again, it’s all about creating for me. Just some years ago, I started educating myself in arts. To be honest, I’m quite a late bloomer in illustration and arts in general.

Your illustrations are so fun and vibrant! How long have you been doing this?

Aww thank you!! I’ve been illustrating since 2009 when I got my first digital tablet as a surprise birthday gift from my dad. I’d been quite self-taught, and that makes the path slower I think. In 2013 I started taking academic drawing lessons, in portraiture, for some years. I have taken some illustration courses online that I’ve just found recently, online schools like SVSlearn.com, and others. I wish I’ve found them earlier.I always had a personal style, or at least that’s what people have always said to me, that they see something I’ve illustrated and immediately recognized it as mine.5 years ago, I needed to increase my monthly income, and had the idea to start crafting journals which I painted with acrylics and Indian ink. The thing why I tell you this is that I developed a fun style doing them, from where I took it into a digital style for illustrations. Somehow those handmade journals were the very start of something way bigger. Now I just keep working in improving myself. Learning is a fantastic never ending process.

When you illustrate, do you correspond with the author? And do you prefer or not prefer authors to give illustration notes?

I’m an easy going person and quite flexible on such things. I’d let the particular situation of that particular book dictate how things will be. The first book I illustrated (Shimmer – Songs of Night), the author (Raven Howell) has been in touch with me on a daily basis, and it was very enriching especially cause that book has poems, so I needed some insight on some poems from her. The second book I illustrated (My Bigger than an Elephant Secret, by Kelly Johnstone) had a different situation, because I got illustrations notes with it, and the author kept herself quieter. I used the illustrations notes as a guide, but in case of having a different approach I could ask the art director. What it is key, though, is keeping the communication flowing. Some publishing houses I’ve heard don’t want the illustrator to be contacted with the author during the illustrating process, and some others don’t have any problem. I guess it depends on so many factors. Including how much experience and success the illustrator already has. Personally, again, I’m really easy to adapt, and I will ask whoever will be in charge, may be the author or the art director of the publishing house. I will totally ask for guidance in case I’m not understanding the core of something in the text. That’s crucial, I need to understand things deeply in order to activate the images, the visual language inside my head.

Tell us your process for illustrating. How do you decide what the pictures should look like?

Depending if I’m illustrating something for fun, or if it is a project like a picture book.When illustration for fun, it may be as simple as I got inspired and the image appeared right away on my mind, or I may be experimenting and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone, trying things I never draw for example. Illustrating always has in first place, something you want to tell. So, you need that first. You need what’s the story you want to tell before illustrating it. Or you are just practicing the how to do it, improving your skills. Like today I’ll draw pug dogs, cause I simply want to practice them in my style.

I work mostly digital, so I can sketch and go into a final piece, all in the same place, my computer. And the feeling I want to convey usually is the first thing that leads the whole image.But again, sometimes it just comes as it is, lot of times I need to work the whole idea for several times.

Working on a picture book, needs a lot of work and phases. I first need to read several times the manuscript I’m given. I’ll get a sense of the kind of energy, or the kind of mood the book has. That may start suggesting by itself what main color palette I may use for it. Then I’d sketch lots of ideas regarding the main characters. So far, I’ve worked in two published books, and the overall style has been similar. Although the second one needed to have a character and a sequence thru the whole story of course, not like Shimmer that is a collection of poems about the night, and gave me more freedom in that regards.

Some paragraphs may give me the illustration I want for it right away. Even If I sketch many options later, to end up using the first image it came to me. Other paragraphs may be a whole challenge itself.

Creativity can feel like a sea that comes and goes. You need to find your personal ways of getting inspired. Your ways of getting unstuck. Your ways of working. And even with all that, for me, it usually has ups and downs anyway.

What other books are you working on for future publication?

Now I’ve signed to illustrate the sister and sequel to Shimmer, that is called Glimmer, Sing of Sun! (by author Raven Howell, and to be published summer 2019 by Clear Fork Publishing).

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?I can’t think of anything right now…

Do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.Ohh I wish so. Maybe someday I can travel to USA again and have a huge signing books event! That would be so cool!! For now, being from and living in Argentina, that’s something I miss.

When I saw Deborah’s illustrations, I had to know more. She is also the author telling their tales. Although humorous to see, she is very serious about her message.

What is it you’re trying to depict in your art work?I am working on capturing the animated movie/musical that is playing in my head. For more than 20 years, I created and produced musicals, productions and capitalized on my marketing and entertainment background. So, here’s the funny part ... although I am an award winning artist, I’m brand new to illustrating. It’s easy to see every nuance of the character’s/world in my minds-eye. Yet, to translate that onto the page is a daunting opportunity.

Luckily for me, Callie Metler-Smith, Publisher of Clear Fork Publishing was able to see my potential. I liken her to a coach who brings out the best in me.Ultimately, what I’d like to depict is the emotion that the story tells. It is my wish that the characters leap off the page and capture the hearts of the readers, both young and young at heart. Although I would like to create the entire fashion world, in my instance, the small details are important. So, too much background could take away from the overall vibe.

I love the Paisley character. Tell us about her :>)Paisley is my heart! She is a little porcupine who gets caught up in the backbiting animal fashion world. Her dream is to become a famous designer. Yet, in the Fashion Forest, porcupines must use their quills to pin up other designers’ creations. They are essentially walking, talking pin cushions.

Paisley is a perpetual optimist. When the models that she’s working on need adjustments, she happily makes them. Yet, to her dismay, instead of being rewarded for going above and beyond, Paisley gets reprimanded by Zavannah, a snarly fashion Diva!

As Paisley gives up her precious, protective quills, she loses a part of herself. Until, she only has one quill left! It is what she does with the one quill that gives the story legs.

As the Founder of the Self-worth Initiative, I have created/produced a lot of productions that have inspired the audience to claim their worth. Paisley is one of my all-time favorites. Why? Because she represents my own journey ... and so many other people ... who didn’t know what was within them until they were challenged!

What books do you have on the market? And where will you be signing in the near future?I have two books. One is called The Luckiest Penny. It was created, along with a musical that is/was performed in South Florida, SUNY University OT’s, NY, and now the Zylofone Org., NY, is taking it on to bring self-worth to their patrons. Ernest Socolov is the amazing illustrator.

The other one is Center of the Universe. It was created to give people hope when going through trying times.

As far as book signings, etc., I have put everything on hold while I create the illustrations for Paisley. Although I am a multi-tasker at heart, I want to enjoy the journey!

Thanks for joining us and welcome! Callie's the one on the left and Melissa is on the right.​I thoroughly enjoyed meeting both Melissa Stoller and Callie Metler-Smith at the 2017 North Texas SCBWI Conference. One of the highlights was that Melissa and I finally got to meet our publisher, Callie Metler-Smith, of Clear Fork Publishing. What an energetic weekend!

Callie’s the owner of Clear Fork Publishing, and her hometown newspaper. Somehow she finds time to be an editor, a mom raising three kids, a teacher teaching art, an artist illustrating picture books and lest I forget…she’s also an author! Callie was born a Georgia peach but was raised in the Lone Star State and is a proud Texan!

Melissa is a true New Yorker living in the Big Apple and just down the street from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Really? Wow! She loves her ‘cawfee’ in the mornings (as she puts it). Melissa’s also a mom of three daughters, a former lawyer turned writer, and an active volunteer in her community. She’s the author of several books including her latest chapter book The Enchanted Snow Globe: Return to Coney Island which is the first book in a series. Callie is the illustrator. And this is what we’re going to talk about today.

Who wants to go first and tell us how this came to be?

MELISSA: First, let me start by saying thank you to Patricia! We had so much fun meeting at the SCBWI North Texas Conference in September. You Texans are certainly a warm and welcoming bunch!

As for how this book came to be: The story behind THE ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION - RETURN TO CONEY ISLAND is based on how my grandparents met on the Coney Island trolley in the 1920s. I had been thinking about writing the story for many years. First, I tried it as a picture book but then realized that I wanted to write a chapter book series about characters who shake a snow globe and are transported to different historical moments and also connect with their ancestors. I actually queried Callie with a picture book manuscript and mentioned in my query that I was also working on a time-travel adventure series. Callie responded that she wanted to see the time-travel book! I pitched the book as The Magic Tree House book series meets the Back to the Future movie series. Callie’s vision for the series clicked immediately with mine and I knew from the beginning that I wanted to work with Clear Fork Publishing. And I was thrilled that Callie wanted to illustrate the series. Our collaboration has been so wonderful – we bounce ideas back and forth and it was great fun for me to see my characters come to life. I especially love how she portrayed the period clothing from the 1920s, the Cyclone roller coaster, and the huge curio cabinet that houses the snow globe collection. And of course I smile every time I look at her illustration of the moment when the twins watch their great-grandparents meet on the Coney Island trolley. I couldn’t have asked for a better publisher or illustrator for this series.

CALLIE: Thanks so much, Patricia! For me, Melissa’s series was a little piece of home. My son loved the Magic Tree House books and I spent many nights reading them to him. I loved Melissa’s writing style and was very intrigued when she said she had a series that featured time travel. When I read it, I fell in love. It was just the thing I wanted to be part of! Later, when I started to really see Simon and Emma come to life in my head, I knew I wanted to be more involved. I was so excited when Melissa gave me the opportunity to illustrate it also!

How many books are in the series? Callie, will you be the illustrator for all? What is the title of the 2nd book and when will it be available?

MELISSA: As of now, we have contracted for 5 books in the series and Callie will definitely illustrate them all! The second book is titled, THE LIBERTY BELL TRAIN RIDE, and it will be chugging along in 2018! This time, twins Emma and Simon shake a snow globe from their grandmother’s enchanted collection and are transported back to 1915 Philadelphia. They embark on an adventure as the Liberty Bell makes its last transcontinental train ride to San Francisco. Along the way, they meet their Great-Aunt Lucy, learn all about how petitions work, and have the chance to help the Liberty Bell get back on track. I can’t wait to see what Callie has lined up for this story in her illustrator’s imagination!

CALLIE: Yes, I am really hoping Simon and Emma will have many adventures before it is all said and done! Illustrating the first book was so out of my box and was a real growth and learning experience for me. At one point my husband said he “forbade” me to illustrate anymore, but I think he agreed it was worth it in the end. The new snow globe with the train was featured at the end of the first book so I’ve been brainstorming about the new book since finishing the last one. I’ve even had a few dreams where I was drawing it out in my dream!

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

MELISSA: I think it’s so important to keep growing and developing as an author. I read picture books and chapter books regularly to keep up with new trends and to study the books as mentor texts. I also take classes and workshops regularly to keep working on my craft. In fact, Callie and I are both taking a class in Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy. It focuses on illustrating picture books, and although I am not an illustrator, I know that it is helping me to understand how the text and illustration in picture books work together to create the magic of storytelling. It’s fun to be working and learning with Callie!

Also, Callie and I had an incredible day together at the Kimbell Art Museum in Ft. Worth. We both love art history, and we took a tour of the museum and basically stared at masterpieces for an afternoon. My debut picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, is all about finding creativity and I know that my love of art history helped inform this story. Additionally, the third book in the ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION series will feature the twins in a museum, so Callie and I are thinking about what other art field trips we can take together!

Finally, I’m so happy that Callie appreciates the Book Club Guides I include in all my books. We both think it’s so important for families to make connections through reading and discussing books.

CALLIE: I think illustration and text is always a partnership. They both have to be in sync to really work. I was so blessed to be able to work with Melissa on a deeper level than just publisher and it was such an amazing experience for me. I felt like I grew a lot as both a writer and illustrator through the process.

Do either of you have any book signings scheduled? We’d love to join in.

MELISSA: I’m definitely planning to make another trip to Texas and hopefully Callie and I can schedule a joint book signing! And Patricia - I would also love to go out for more Tex-Mex lunches and dinners with you, Callie, and the rest of the Clear Fork Publishing Texas group!

CALLIE: During the month of November, I will be at several shows around my home base of Stamford, Texas. I can’t wait to eat more Queso with Melissa and other CFP authors and illustrators soon! Anytime we get to spend together is so much fun!

I can’t stop here without saying congratulations to Melissa. Her debut children’s picture book, SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH, will be released in Spring 2018, and of course Callie Metler-Smith is the publisher.

And I have to mention that A HUG FOR THE WORLD, an anthology written and illustrated by the talented authors and illustrators at Clear Fork Publishing, will be released soon. All proceeds will go to help those in Texas affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. You can pre-order a copy here: https://www.clearforkpublishing.com/store/p122/AHugForTheWorld.

Alejandro Echavez is the illustrator for several books including Saylor which is fresh on the market. and he's going to tell us his POV on writing illo notes :>)

Thanks so much, Alejandro. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in New York City where I lived until age four. I then moved to Bogotá, Colombia, South America with my mom and brother.At the age of six, I started to paint different cartoon characters and created my own stories. I also did Commission work like posters, greeting cards, signs for friends and business’s.I had my first published work when I was 18 years old. It was called El Dia de Elecciones The Day of the Elections, a small ink illustrated voters’ guide.

I moved back to New York, at the age of 18. I learned English, took cartooning and 2D animation classes at the school of Visual Arts (SVA). I also took some Animation classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Currently, I am an administrative assistant at a hospital in NYC. In the evenings, I change hats to work on the illustrations that I love doing so much.

I live in Long Island with my wonderful wife, beautiful daughters and a very smart Golden Retriever.Your illustrations are so fun and vibrant! How long have you been doing this?I started when I was a kid, so I could say I have been doing illustrations, for quite some time. I didn't really get into the picture book industry, until last year, and I can say I love it!

When you illustrate, do you correspond with the author? And do you prefer or not prefer authors to give illustration notes? This is big talk with us writers…to add or not to add suggestions. We don’t want to tick anyone off :>)

I prefer to correspond with the authors if possible, and go over any notes they may have.It is important for me to get an idea of what they have envisioned so I can bring their story to life.

Tell us your process for illustrating. How do you decide what the pictures should look like? First I read the script, making notes for myself as I go. I usually start to get an idea of what the book's world looks like.

Then I use the author's notes and my own to create sketches of each page, including backgrounds and characters as described in the text. I do this with pencil on paper.

I send the sketches to the author for feedback, make any requestedchanges, and resend for review.

Then I start working on the approved pages.

What other books are you working on for future publication?

I am currently working on three books: Beastronauts by D. A . Jolley and another one titled Real Giraffes Wear High Heels by Maria Ashworth. Both release dates will be sometime in August 2017. There is aMonster in My Closet, written and illustrated by me, will be released October 31, 2017 just in time for Halloween.

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

I participate in several Art shows a year with different art groups.I do commissioned work Acrylic on canvas

Alejandro, do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

Yes I do I have a couple ones coming up in Barnes & Noble Union Square, and other Barnes and Noble in the NYC area

I would like to thank you for the interview and also thank everyone that has purchased Saylor and help him fly far.

Thanks so much for joining us. You have such a unique name. How did your parents come up with this?

Hi Patricia! You’ve had such talented guest authors and illustrators on your site – it’s fabulous to be here!

A few people know that my father is a published poet, who has had a long spanning writing career with popularity in Eastern Europe, particularly in the country he was born in, Latvia. With that, the question often posed is, “Were you named after Edgar Allen Poe’s The Raven?” I wish I could say there was an interesting story there about that, but no, I was not. My father however, is one of the biggest influences in my life as a poet, and his speaking engagements, poetry readings and book events were a part of our family life growing up.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in South Jersey, the best of both worlds - when not traveling we were enjoying long, languid summers camping and shell seeking at the Atlantic seashore. On the other hand, we were a part of Philadelphia’s city life most weekends.

My husband and I chose to raise our own family in New York’s Hudson Valley where we still reside. This is truly an inspirational spot for a poet at heart like me – surrounded by mountains, morning mists and the river’s wildlife. I write daily for both children’s magazines and books. Meanwhile, I really look forward to the random text I get from either of my college bound sons! -Where did you get your inspiration for Shimmer? It will be out October 2017. Can it be pre-ordered?

My inspiration for Shimmer came from a childhood that celebrated the evening hours as magical! I spent many years as a child and young adult enjoying a picnic and singing party by firelight during summer solstice or playing a night-time version of hide and go seek with neighborhood friends. This book is not so much a general bedtime read as it is an encouragement for children to feel safe and have fun with the whimsy of night – how silly opossums are in their hanging upside down in a tree during the midnight hour, in imagining a fairy circle dance taking place in the woods outside while being told to hit the sack by 8 p.m. or the fickle plight of flickering firefly lights, making it hard to catch them.

What has led you on this road as a writer? And how long have you been writing for children?

I recently read the beautifully prose-written book by Kwame Alexander, Solo, and at one point, the dialog between the characters asks, “How do you do it?” and the response is, “How do you wake up in the morning?”…..We always have the option of letting inspiration, words, poetry find us! That’s the road.

As long as I can remember, I’ve written poetry and songs. Before my Kindergarten year, I would come up with poems – my grandmother jotting down my sing-song-y verse or story before I learned to write myself. Even at that elementary school age, my mother submitted my poetry to some children’s publications and then I was off and running to a life long dedication!

Did you correspond with the illustrator for your new book? Tell us how this worked for you.

Patricia, it is such a pleasure to work with Carina Povarchik, the illustrator for Shimmer. We have mutual respect for what we do and really continue to be a “team”. In fact, I know we’ve built a friendship that will certainly continue. Spork’s editor, Callie Metler Smith, matched us together perfectly. After my manuscript was accepted for publication, I was able to give art directives and share ideas for the visual aspect, and the Universe cooperated! Carina lives in Argentina, but being that I write and work both day and night, we usually correspond back and forth with ease.

Carina was very present and hands on, with daily or weekly updates on the illustrations she was working on. She kept bouncing her ideas and pictures over to me, the editor and her agent for feedback. Of course, we loved everything she was submitting, but she was very compromising with a few of her drawings and my suggestions. And there was one poem she didn’t quite get an image for. When I explained the verse, she poured her heart and soul into it and it became the gorgeous illustration for my poem, Sandman!

What other books are you working on for future publication?

I have another release coming out this fall titled A Star Full of Sky that I am super psyched about, too! It’s a compilation of 22 poems for kids ages 7 and older published by Daffydowndilly Press. A true, straight-forward children’s poetry book with some sweet black and white illustrations by NYC artist Caryn Schafer, I will be showcasing it in school classrooms.

In 2018 I’m contracted for a couple of more books – both children’s poetry, and a rhyming picture book. And I will begin working with a couple of brand new publishing houses, so I have a full schedule and am having a blast!

Is there anything else you’d like your readers to know?

I hope your readers will visit my website which is chock full of tips and information for teachers, parents, book lovers, and writers and poets of all ages!

Raven, do you have any book signings coming up? We’d love to join in.

My book signings/poetry workshops will be popping up as my two releases become available to the public, and I’ll have information on when and where I’ll be on my FB pages and website.

Thanks again, Patricia, for this wonderful opportunity to share! Best wishes to all your readers, writers, friends!